BEARS-PACKERS Q&A.

Packers' Grip On Foes Is Ice-cold At Lambeau

About the only question left for the Packers is finding out which lucky team gets to travel to Lambeau Field in January. Probably not the Bears, who have enough trouble with December.

Question: Why are the Packers (9-3) so good in Lambeau?

Answer: Everything is better in Lambeau. The brats, the beer, the tailgaters. Good football naturally follows. The Packers have won 23 of their last 24 at home.

"We don't make many mistakes there," said safety LeRoy Butler.

"It's those yellow towels. I love that stuff," said coach Mike Holmgren.

Q: Can they lose in Lambeau?

A: The Broncos play them there next week, but with three of their last four at home, the Pack appears home free.

Q: How did they lose three on the road?

A: They never won a turnover battle in any of them, for one thing. The Packers are good, but they are like any other team in one respect: They like to get interceptions and fumbles. When they get them, they score. When they don't, they are vulnerable.

Q: Are they vulnerable to the run?

A: They rank fifth in the league in stuffing the run, but teams haven't been very patient about running against them. They have shown some soft spots and can be worn down if teams stick with it.

Q: Can the Bears run it on them?

A: It's their only chance.

Q: How is Brett Favre playing?

A: With so many receivers hurt, he's struggling to stay within the scheme of the offense and not do too much himself. This goes against his nature. His two end-zone interceptions versus the Rams last week were poor decisions.

Q: But doesn't he have his receivers back?

A: Antonio Freeman, who killed the Bears in Soldier Field, is back, and newcomer Andre Rison will be ready for more than 20 to 25 plays this week. That means defenses can no longer gang up on Don Beebe or Keith Jackson, which means there is no longer any reason to feel sympathy for the Packer attack.

Q: What's the key to beating Favre?

A: Besides playing keepaway, it's a good idea to keep him in the pocket. Nobody is better on the run. He loves to get outside the pocket and wing it, although he sometimes gets careless. As always, pressure is a must, but blitzing is dangerous.

Q: What about their running game?

A: Edgar Bennett, Dorsey Levens and William Henderson haven't looked great lately, but the Packers never really line up and try to pound anyone. If the weather is bad, no one is better than Bennett, who generally feasts on the Bears.

Q: What is Jim McMahon doing?

A: Having fun, trying to get into games. He accused Favre of throwing those end-zone interceptions on purpose last week to keep McMahon on the bench.

"He's mad my rating (118.8) is higher than his (93.6)," McMahon said.

McMahon sports that lofty passer efficiency rating on the basis of completing both passes he has thrown this season.

Q: Why are the Packers ranked second in defense?

A: Reggie White looks pretty much like Reggie White up front and cornerbacks Craig Newsome and Doug Evans have been outstanding, allowing LeRoy Butler to make all kinds of plays at strong safety and Eugene Robinson to roam center field. Linebackers George Koonce, Brian Williams and Wayne Simmons are active and tackles Santana Dotson and Gil Brown push the middle.